Guy Buchmann

An influential factor for some North Americans who decide to move further south to Central America is the desire to lead a healthy lifestyle. However many residents in Central America consume high concentrations of pesticides and processed foods. Without a gym or a Whole Foods nearby it can be difficult for those moving abroad to be as healthy as they would like to be.

Here are some of the towns in Central America where expats and locals have created health meccas where organic food and healthy activities abound. People who are dedicated to healthy, sustainable living will find themselves connecting with the like-minded communities that exist in these towns.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Ana Munevar

Once the infamous party town of the South Caribbean, the gorgeous Costa Rican beach town of Puerto Viejo is making a name for itself in the health community. In addition to hiking, surfing, biking, and other physically healthy activities there are over five yoga studios which offer daily classes for those in need of some centering.

Residents enjoy healthy boxes of farm fresh organic produce twice weekly and access to incredible superfoods like noni juice, kombucha, and raw cacao at the farmers’ markets. There is also a farming cooperative in Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo for those who want to get their hands dirty and help grow their own produce. There are also a few organic healthy cafes, even an entirely raw foods cafe. This makes it very possible to eat organic and healthy in Puerto Viejo.

The Tierra de Suenos health center in the Playa Chiquita neighborhood offers unique health opportunities for visitors and residents. The center works to heal individuals from all over the world suffering with chronic disease. There is an onsite holistic health consultant who works with community members on an as needed basis as well. Many residents in Puerto Viejo visit this center for a basic health analysis, to purchase vitamins and herbs, and for assistance with cleanses.

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

This gorgeous lake surrounded by rainforest, mountain trails, and volcanoes is one of the top destinations for nature lovers in Guatemala. The clean mountain air and abundance of outdoor activities make it easy for residents to lead a clean, active lifestyle.

Some of the outdoor enthusiasts who fell in love with Lake Atitlan’s natural beauty decided to move here and contribute to the healthy lifestyle. Atitlan Organics is not only providing organic produce for much of the community, they also support local farmers with the intention of building a cooperative of farmers. They sell produce at the local farmers’ market and offer tours of their farm.

The La Voz organic coffee farm grows organic fair trade local coffee. Coffee lovers can enjoy some of the healthiest and best coffee in the world here and even take a tour of the farm.

The town of San Pedro de la Laguna is an expat’s health mecca with international restaurants ranging from all organic to Asian to vegetarian and vegan. They have daily yoga classes as well as retreat centers for those interested in a deeper immersion or a cleanse. The local hot springs are a great way to relax after a work week and you can dine on organic food while soaking.

Playa Gigante, Nicaragua

G. Gill

The Pacific coast of Nicaragua is an ecological paradise and most of the coast enjoys quiet serenity with no crowds and few tourists. Playa Gigante, known by travelers for its surfing, is a quiet little town that some expats looking for a laid-back lifestyle in an authentic surf and fishing town call home.

Many centers have opened that gear specifically towards health and wellness tourism, which presents the opportunity for those with plans to open a wellness-focused business or healthy restaurant. Residents can also enjoy many of the yoga classes and wellness packages offered at these centers.

Papaya Wellness has all kinds of yoga classes, pilates, and qi gong as well as Ayurvedic consultations, nutrition classes, and raw food preparation courses. Aqua Wellness Resort offers body work as well as healthy vegetarian meals.

Nosara, Costa Rica

Possibly the healthiest town in all of Central America is Playa Guiones in Nosara in Costa Rica. The town sits on a stunning white sand beach with perfect surf waves surrounded by jungle.

Costa Rica has the highest concentration of wellness businesses and eco tourism, so it’s not surprising that one of the healthiest towns resides here. Nosara first became a popular destination decades ago when the Nosara Yoga Institute opened its doors and began the yoga revolution in Costa Rica.

Today expats enjoy an incredibly healthy lifestyle. There is an abundance of physical activities like stand up paddleboarding, kick boxing, pilates, yoga, and even stand up paddleboard yoga.

Raw cafes, juice bars, and even an organic grocery store are available to keep residents from missing their former lives of shopping at Whole Foods. You can order from the community farm cooperative, frequent the farmer’s market, or stop by the organic grocer any day of the week for organic produce.

Being healthy abroad is easier than many people realize. Towns with health-focused expat communities tend to have healthy options already, but if you find the town you want to relocate to is missing something perhaps that’s your opportunity to open your own wellness business.